York’s annual maintenance plan for our roads and streets has earmarked a 50% increase in investment in highways, pathways, lighting, drainage and more.

This will see significantly more invested in York’s roads than in previous years and the wide-ranging plan commits to highway repair schemes in villages and suburbs as well as the city centre, from Acomb to Osbaldwick and lots of areas in between. It also covers street lighting repairs in Shipton, a number of footway repairs in the city centre, walking and cycle route repairs around the Knavesmire and much more.

The funding committed includes an allocation from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority on top of £8.8m committed in the council’s budget which was agreed in February. The Combined Authority funding was confirmed at a meeting last week and further projects will be added to the plan in the coming months.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport said:

“Our highways and footways need significant investment and I’m delighted that this year we’re investing £16.5m – some 50% more than last year.

“Work to deliver this plan is already underway and we are prioritising proactive work to prolong the life of a road surface as well as repairs to potholes.

“While this is significant investment and with additional contributions from the council’s budget, we know it won’t be enough to fix everything – an estimated £100m is required to bring our highways up to a high standard. However, the four year funding settlement through the Combined Authority allows us to develop a multi-year programme and start to deliver the much needed and sustained improvement in our highway network.

“Whichever way you travel in York, whether you use a mobility aid, cycle, walk, catch a bus, taxi or drive, this plan will help make your journeys easier. That means delivering more projects like the Albermarle Road and Heworth Green roundabout resurfacing work completed last year which brought benefits to all modes of travel. With schemes such as Beckfield Lane, the improvements to walking and cycling routes along the Knavesmire, plus repairs to city centre footways planned in for this year these wider benefits will continue and together, the projects all combine to help keep the entire city moving.”

(Picture: City of York/Visit York/YouTube)